Patience is key behind new-look Hull – Briscoe

They head to Wrexham this Sunday bidding to maintain their 100 per cent start to Engage Super League and deliver a third successive victory.

In defeating a determined Huddersfield Giants outfit 14-6 on Friday night, Briscoe feels the new-look Airlie Birds showed they have toughened up from their brittle nature last season.

Coach Richard Agar reckoned that side – who trailed in 12th – would have buckled again under the pressure applied by Huddersfield, particularly in the second half, and Briscoe agreed.

"We wouldn't have been as patient," admitted the 19-year-old. "We'd have started pushing the pass, trying other things or switching off. Here though we just ground the win out and took our time. We are definitely more patient."

Hull, who have had a huge turnover in personnel for 2010, showed their promise with a spectacular five-try triumph at St Helens a week earlier but it was their defensive quality that shone against their Yorkshire rivals.

"Huddersfield were a bigger, stronger side," said Briscoe.

"They threw more at us than Saints but we always knew Huddersfield's strength.

"They were never ever going to give in. We said that before the game and at half-time – don't let up because they will stick in there until we make a mistake – but we defended really well."

Part of the reason for their resilience was irrepressible former Australian Test loose forward Craig Fitzgibbon.

The high-profile capture from Sydney City Roosters produced a gritty 80-minute display on his home debut and Agar said the 32-year-old is the sort of professional he always wanted at KC Stadium.

"Fitzgibbon holds it together for us in the middle and is probably our fittest player," he said.

"But he also has a tremendous rugby league brain and when you look at what he has achieved, you know these types of situations won't be a problem for him; he has that composure.

"It was definitely the sort of game we'd have lost last season. We struggled to dig out the close wins. We were confident enough but didn't have enough composure to keep our calm and bring home the match."

In conceding just three tries in two games against the sides that finished second and third last year, Hull will prepare for the trip to Wales in confident mood.

Briscoe said: "Crusaders will be on a high after beating Salford and getting their first win on Friday.

"We're on a high too though and it'll be great to take on our old players – Tommy Lee, Jamie Thackray and Gaz Raynor."